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jaclaz
I suspect that also sex and rock'n roll are not going that strong anymore ...
TallGuyShort
My disappointment every time I turn on the radio concurs with your hypothesis.
fatdog
There could be a diversity effect in their data, given demographic changes as a consequence of immigration patterns, relationship to authority, and cultural attitudes toward alcohol.
mc32
Cigarette smoking has trended down. There was an article the other day claiming that evidence showed cig smokers tended to eventually drink and go into other drugs.... So, if cigs were a gateway, then it could make sense alcohol and other drugs use has gone down.
spoiledtechie
If this is true, it proves the gateway drugs can have a large affect on stronger things.
yazaddaruvala
The causality here has always been misguided because of the name "Gateway" given to these drugs by the media. "Gateway" drugs are not gateways people use to transition through, and shouldn't be thought of or called as such. They are "first warning" drugs.

Almost all toothaches do not need a root canal, but some toothaches are definitely the first warning sign for needing a root canal.

<strike>Children</strike> People, who are more likely to try cigarettes/alcohol are also more likely to try harder drugs, and people who are more likely to try harder drugs are more likely to try even harder ones. Usually the causality is related to issues at home / issues at school / issues of biology+psychology. They have a desire to exit society because it has failed them. The fact that they do "mild"(i.e. more common) drugs before they do "harder" ones is simply common sense on their part. FWIW, these same people would likely fail the cookie test[0].

There is an interesting Ted talk[1] which discusses the correlation between heroin addiction and a feeling of belonging. i.e. if you feel detached from your community you're at risk. And inversely if you're an addict, being accepted into a community is the biggest predictor of successfully overcoming the addiction.

[0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stanford_marshmallow_experimen...

[1] https://www.ted.com/talks/johann_hari_everything_you_think_y...

taurath
Could be that the kids who used to be likely to smoke cigarettes are all on adderall instead.
plussed_reader
Boy oh boy, I'd love to see this data correlated with which parts of the country practice comprehensive sex ed vs abstinence only (mis)education.
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allenz
There might be a correlation, but it wouldn't prove anything. The data might be just as strongly correlated with income, class, race, etc.
rednerrus
They have better drugs now: Internet, iPhone, Facebook.
collyw
I can assure you, those aren't better than the drugs that my friend tried in the past.
jondiggsit
Who needs drugs and alcohol when the kids are hopelessly addicted to input
eliasbagley
Hey man... Got any more of that snow crash?
lowpro
I worked with some college students from South Korea, and they were very surprised that hardly anyone smokes on campus, mainly people from outside the country. Although it's decreased in the US, I wonder if the cig companies have coped by pivoting into the global market and pushing hard that way.

Also, I'm betting that alcohol consumption isn't down overall in teens, they're just smart and would never say they've had a drink or drink at any point. Speaking from very recent personal experience.